The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has refuted claims that it was spying on Kenyans through use of a multi-million shilling system it says is intended to protect consumers.

The agency says that the Sh200 million Device Management System (DMS) rolled out is aimed purely at ensuring counterfeit devices are locked out of the country.

Speaking during a press conference aimed at allaying the spy claims, CA Director General Francis Wangusi denied media reports that the system was being used to extract data from third parties.

“There is misinformation in today’s newspapers that that we are planning to spy on Kenyans which is quite the contrary,” Wangusi said.

CA Director General Francis Wangusi

Reports indicated that the State had asked mobile telephone service providers to allow it to plant gadgets on all networks in the country that have the ability to listen, read and track down the more than 30 million Kenyans who own mobile devices.

This elicited outcry from Kenyans on social media questioning the government’s tapping especially ahead of the August 8 General Elections.